Gates adds voice to those condemning planned Quran burning as a risk to US troops

Pentagon chief endorses call to cancel Quran burn

WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Robert Gates is adding his voice to those of top U.S. generals and others who say that a Florida church’s plan to burn the Quran could endanger U.S. forces in the field.

A Pentagon spokesman says Gates told his staff Wednesday that he strongly endorses Gen. David Petraeus’ view that a Florida church’s planned burning of the Muslim holy book is risky and ill-advised. Petraeus commands U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan, where the population is overwhelmingly Muslim.

The spokesman, Col. David Lapan, says senior defense or military leaders have not contacted the Florida church directly.